1
as in dissolution
the act or process of a whole separating into two or more parts or pieces
the separation of Norway and Sweden into two independent nations in 1905
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in distinction
the state of being kept distinct
the separation of church and state is an important concept in the United States
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in divergence
a movement in different directions away from a common point
a sudden separation of the herd of deer when they were startled
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in gap
an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge)
the narrow separation between posts in the fence
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in departure
the act or process of two or more persons going off in different directions
friends who dreaded the inevitable separation after graduation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of separation
The primary concern is her separation from Tango.
—
Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
Ever since Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban announced their separation, there has been interest in Kidman’s future love life.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 30 Mar. 2026
Dogs with a history of abandonment can be especially sensitive to even brief separation.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Many movies and shows are now overlapping between both, but there are still some separations.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for separation
Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
Ever since Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban announced their separation, there has been interest in Kidman’s future love life.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 30 Mar. 2026
Dogs with a history of abandonment can be especially sensitive to even brief separation.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Many movies and shows are now overlapping between both, but there are still some separations.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for separation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for separation
Noun
-
The separatist group emerged in 1958 in resistance to Franco but gained notoriety for assassinations, bombings, and kidnappings before announcing an end to its armed activity in 2011 and its dissolution in 2018.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2026
-
As a result, the Scandinavian producer can make textile fiber(s) from wood pulp or waste inputs—think leather, textiles and agricultural crop waste — thereby nixing the traditional chemical-dissolution route for viscose and lyocell production.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The market is full of vehicles that blur the line between a traditional e-bike and something closer to a motorcycle, and manufacturers don’t always make the distinction easy to spot.—
Sarah Raza,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
This distinction was missing both from popular discourse, the academics felt, and from an influential definition of antisemitism associated with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, which lists numerous examples of antisemitism related to criticism of Israel.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This points to a divergence in how countries manage AI.—
Maha Hosain Aziz,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
That physical distance, combined with the genomic and vocal divergence confirmed by researchers, supported the formal classification of the Tokara population as a separate species.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The gender gap narrowed slightly in recent years but widened again in 2025, according to an analysis by the Economic Policy Institute.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Another admitted to brushing crumbs into the gap between the stove and counter as a child—only to be caught and made to pull the appliance out and deep-clean the entire area.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Seattle Seahawks face a big transition at running back this year with the departure of Kenneth Walker III in free agency, and head coach Mike Macdonald opened up on where the team stands.—
Matthew Davis,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Those rates apply to bags checked more than 24 hours before departure.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The 18-wheeler went left to avoid hitting Ward but still hit him, causing Ward to tumble forward and collide with a concrete divider, peace officers wrote in the report.—
Timia Cobb
Breaking News Reporter,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The map carves more than 70,000 minority residents out of Cleaver’s district and used Troost Avenue, Kansas City’s historic racial dividing line, as a divider between the 4th and 5th Congressional Districts, The Star previously revealed.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The closeness between the Guards and the clerical regime over the past 20 years, Riboua argued, means a large ideological split from the old regime may not be forthcoming.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Alexander is the first NBC journalist to cross over to MS NOW since the split.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This law, presented in the name of anti-discrimination, threatens to do exactly that against private religious institutions that do not comply with state mandates or rules that would conflict with a private religious institution’s beliefs and views.—
Stephen Mitchell,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
-
That law prohibits employment discrimination on various grounds, including gender.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Separation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/separation. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
